Pregnant Before the Royal Marriage

Chapter 317: 317: Playing the Role of Sister-in-law

Xiaoman often entered the palace with Jiang Ning, and the palace attendants of the Splendid Palace recognized her and liked her innocent and naive demeanor. When they teased her with wine, she was honest enough to drink it as if it were tea. Gurgling down a few cups, she would quickly become drunk.

The palace attendants laughed at her, but they moved her to the maids’ living quarters, covered her with a blanket and let her sleep for a while.

They figured by the time the banquet ended, she should be awake, ready to return with the Prince of Yu’s mansion.

As the attendants played cards and drank, they soon forgot about Xiaoman.

Jiang Ning had been chatting with Ms. Zhang for quite a while as evening approached, thinking that it was time to head back.

She could not help but worry about Xiaoqian, who was left alone in the mansion, while the two younger children were with the Emperor.

However, Xiaoman was still nowhere to be seen.

Even though Xiaoman was a bit slow to react, she was not a frivolous person. She would have returned to Jiang Ning’s side when the time came.

Jiang Ning started to worry that something must have happened and somewhat regretted not bringing Huang Ying and Dongxie along.

Zhang Mujin noticed her anxiety and voluntarily asked, “Are you looking for someone, sister?”

“The maid Xiaoman who entered the palace with me still hasn’t returned.”

“Oh, I will have my maid look for her. Is she the girl called Xiaoman? She went to the Splendid Palace, right? Alright, don’t worry sister.” Zhang Mujin showed her concern and arranged for her maid to search for Xiaoman’s whereabouts.

Zhang Family’s maid soon found Xiaoman.

Only then did the attendants of the Splendid Palace remember her, so they hurriedly went to find her, discovering that she was soundly asleep on her bed, snoring.

Zhang Family’s maid quickly went to wake her up, “Miss Xiaoman, Miss Xiaoman, wake up quickly! Your mistress, the Princess Consort, is going back, and you still haven’t got up to serve.”

Xiaoman slept too deeply, and there was no response even after calling her for a long time.

Zhang Family’s maid said, “This is terrible, where’s the discipline? It’s fine for you to drink here, but you got her drunk too. The Princess Consort is waiting for her to return together. How is this acceptable?”

The palace attendants who got Xiaoman drunk were a little uneasy and cautiously said, “Who knew she couldn’t hold her liquor? Maybe after sleeping a little longer, she will be fine. Please wait a bit, Miss.”

“Wait? I have nothing to wait for, but should the master wait for her servant? What kind of rule is this?” The Zhang Family’s maid was very angry, stamping her foot, “I don’t care, I’ll return to the East Palace and report first.”

She ran back to Jiang Ning and Zhang Mujin and recounted what had happened.

Hearing that Xiaoman was drunk and asleep, Jiang Ning laughed, “There’s no need to punish her. Although she looks big, she’s probably still a child at heart. Just don’t give her any wine in the future.”

Zhang Mujin said, “If you’re in a hurry to go back, my maid can accompany you to the carriage.”

“No need, I’ll go to the Splendid Palace and wait for Xiaoman to wake up before leaving the palace together.” Jiang Ning politely declined.

She could tell that Zhang Mujin was a fragile young girl, unable to carry things or lift a hand, and bringing only this one maid, she could not bear to part with her either.

However, Zhang Mujin insisted on having her maid accompany Jiang Ning.

She said, “This wheelchair is quite heavy, you’ll tire yourself pushing it alone. I won’t go, Pei’er can escort you out, then come back to me.”

The girl hadn’t even married into the Jiang Family yet, but she had already started to assume the role and exert her sister-in-law’s authority.

Jiang Ning didn’t feel any aversion to this and let Pei’er push her away from the banquet.

As they reached the central gate, Princess Consort Ma came over, smiling, “It’s still early, Princess Consort of Yu, are you leaving so soon?”